Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 1192

Peyton felt a pang of guilt, knowing deep down that Emma's previous pregnancy was no mere rumor. After all, hadn't she sent Emma to town to take care of it, to get an abortion? She turned to Emma, who looked absolutely terrified. Bruises from a man's grip marked her neck and wrists, her face was ghostly pale, and she was trembling uncontrollably. But instead of pity for her daughter, Peyton felt a surge of anger-anger at being embarrassed in front of the whole town.

In a place like this, reputation was everything. If people started gossiping, how could they ever live it down?

The murmurs around her became unbearable, so she rushed over to Emma.

"Emma, what in the world is going on here?" Peyton demanded.

The Odeberg family's limping patriarch snorted in disdain.

"Don't play dumb. It's obvious you and your daughter are trying to scam us out of the dowry. Absolutely shameless. No wonder the men in your family are all dead. Must be karma." Peyton's face twisted in fury, but she felt powerless against the crowd's accusations. She couldn't defend herself or Emma alone.

She hurried to help Emma up, her tone urgent.

"Emma, for heaven's sake, explain what's happening here!"

Wasn't the child supposed to be taken care of already? How could the Odebergs now claim that Emma was still pregnant?

Did Emma not go through with the abortion after all?

thought sent chills down Peyton's

finally snapping out of her daze, knew she had to come clean

it's still with me. I couldn't go

Peyton's rage causing her whole

you just say?!" she

body ached, and the remnants of the drugs in her system still clouded her mind. But that slap brought everything into sharp focus. Slowly, leaning on a nearby chair, she

the baby is still with me. And I won't

whispers grew louder, fueled by Peyton's

all

week? My

but chickened

speechless by the swirling gossip. This was her

couldn't help but slap

care of it! Why do you insist on making a fool of me

of everyone's scorn felt like living in hell, compared to the heavenly praise she once dreamed

patriarch's insults, was

disheveled, she touched her face, wiping

moment, she

her teacher